Kress Lake

Kress Lake is an old gravel pit acquired by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in 1981. It is a popular trout and warmwater fish lake.

Catchable Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout are planted from January to May and then again in November. Channel Catfish were first planted in 1998. There are plans for future stockings as of 2024. Surplus adult hatchery Steelhead are occasionally also planted throughout the fall and winter.

The pond was treated for invasive Eurasian Milfoil and has greatly improved fishing conditions. 

This lake provides an excellent trout fishing opportunity from late fall through late spring. There is some bank access with a trail going around the entire lake.

Gasoline motors are not allowed.

 

Two-pole fishing is allowed

Shoreline access: Good - Good shore access for walking.

Species you might catch

Lake information

County: Cowlitz
Acreage: 24.60 ac.
Elevation: 18 ft.
Center: 46.04705, -122.850953
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Catchable fish plants

Release Location: KRESS LK (COWL)
Stock Date Species Number Released Number of Fish Per Pound Facility
Jun 26, 2024 Channel Catfish 300 1 COLUMBIA BASIN HATCHERY
May 2, 2024 Rainbow 3,000 2.5 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Apr 30, 2024 Brown Trout 2,500 3 MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Apr 23, 2024 Rainbow 3,000 2.5 MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Apr 22, 2024 Rainbow 3,000 2.66 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Mar 26, 2024 Rainbow 2,900 2.9 MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Feb 20, 2024 Rainbow 3,000 2.5 GOLDENDALE HATCHERY
Dec 21, 2023 Rainbow 500 0.5 MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Nov 22, 2023 Rainbow 1,000 1 MOSSYROCK HATCHERY
Nov 21, 2023 Rainbow 1,000 1 MOSSYROCK HATCHERY

Fishing prospects calendar

Rainbow trout

Fishing success for Rainbow Trout is generally best in the spring when thousands of fish are stocked statewide, but they can be caught year-round in most waters with a little patience and persistence. Success remains high into June and gradually declines as water temperatures increase and fish move offshore to stay cool. Fish that escaped the spring harvest return to the nearshore areas in the fall as waters cool off. Some waters may also be stocked again in the fall further boosting catch rates.
Chart showing fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Largemouth bass

Fishing improves throughout the spring as waters warm and fish move onshore, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull though dawn/dusk hours can be very good. Catch improves in Fall as waters cool, vegetation begins to die back, and prey becomes more available. Winter is the hardest time because fish are offshore and slow moving.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Black crappie

Fishing improves throughout the Spring, peaking during the spawn. Summer is a slight lull, while Fall sees an improvement as waters cool, vegetation dies back, and prey becomes more available. During winter, the bite is slower, but anglers can have great success fishing through the ice when conditions are safe.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Bluegill

Bluegill can be caught year-round, but fishing is best in the warm months of Summer. Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking during the spawn in early-Summer. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season in which to catch Bluegill, but persistent anglers can find them in schools of like-sized fish offshore.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish are ubiquitous in most lowland lakes and readily caught year-round. Fishing is best in the spring and summer, peaking during the spawn in June. Fish move offshore into deeper waters through the fall as water temperatures cool making it more difficult to target them. Winter is the most difficult season to catch Pumpkinseed, but persistent anglers can find nice-sized schools offshore.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Channel catfish

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in June and July. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Brown bullhead

Fishing improves throughout the spring, peaking before the spawning period in May and June. Fishing may pick up in early Fall, followed by a decrease in action as waters cool. Winter is a difficult time to target this species.
Chart of fishing prospects throughout the calendar year

Photos

Image
Kress Lake
Photo by WDFW
Image
Kress Lake
Photo by WDFW
Image
Kress Lake
Photo by WDFW
Image
Kress Lake
Photo by WDFW